U.S. patent application number 16/585156 was filed with the patent office on 2020-06-11 for x-ray device and method of applying x-ray radiation.
The applicant listed for this patent is Siemens Healthcare GmbH. Invention is credited to Jorg Freudenberger, Anja Fritzler, Peter Geithner, Peter Hackenschmied, Thomas Weber.
Application Number | 20200187339 16/585156 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 67875274 |
Filed Date | 2020-06-11 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200187339 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Freudenberger; Jorg ; et
al. |
June 11, 2020 |
X-RAY DEVICE AND METHOD OF APPLYING X-RAY RADIATION
Abstract
The present disclosure provides an x-ray device including a
housing configured to provide a vacuum therein, a cathode arranged
inside the housing and configured to emit electrons, an anode
arranged inside the housing and configured to produce x-ray
radiation when impacted by electrons emitted by the cathode, and a
converter configured to convert the x-ray radiation produced by the
anode into monochromatic x-ray radiation, wherein the anode is
configured to produce x-ray radiation in transmission and is
arranged between the cathode and the converter. The present
disclosure may be used in medical imaging, therapy, spectroscopy,
and the like. Geometries and configurations may be improved
compared to previously known x-ray devices when it comes to
requirements for space, materials used, complexity of electrical
wiring, distance between cathode and anode, and providing
supplementary functions.
Inventors: |
Freudenberger; Jorg;
(Kalchreuth, DE) ; Fritzler; Anja; (Erlangen,
DE) ; Geithner; Peter; (Erlangen, DE) ;
Hackenschmied; Peter; (Nurnberg, DE) ; Weber;
Thomas; (Hausen, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Siemens Healthcare GmbH |
Erlangen |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
67875274 |
Appl. No.: |
16/585156 |
Filed: |
September 27, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62777043 |
Dec 7, 2018 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01J 35/105 20130101;
H05G 1/04 20130101; H01J 2235/08 20130101; H01J 2235/1204 20130101;
H05G 1/025 20130101; H01J 2235/1295 20130101; H01J 35/116 20190501;
H01J 35/10 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H05G 1/02 20060101
H05G001/02; H05G 1/04 20060101 H05G001/04; H01J 35/10 20060101
H01J035/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 6, 2019 |
EP |
19195781.0 |
Claims
1. An x-ray device comprising: a housing configured to provide a
vacuum therein; a cathode arranged inside the housing and
configured to emit electrons; an anode arranged inside the housing
and configured to produce x-ray radiation when impacted by
electrons emitted by the cathode; and a converter configured to
convert the x-ray radiation produced by the anode into
monochromatic x-ray radiation, wherein the anode is configured to
produce x-ray radiation in transmission and is arranged between the
cathode and the converter.
2. The x-ray device of claim 1, further comprising: a transmission
body having a material transparent to x-ray radiation.
3. The x-ray device of claim 2, wherein the transmission body is
arranged in contact with the anode.
4. The x-ray device of claim 3, wherein the transmission body is
arranged structurally separated from the converter.
5. The x-ray device of claim 3, wherein the transmission body is
arranged in contact with the converter.
6. The x-ray device of claim 2, wherein the converter is arranged
between the anode and the transmission body in contact with the
anode and the transmission body.
7. The-ray device of claim 2, further comprising: a cooling device
configured to cool the converter.
8. The x-ray device of claim 2, wherein the converter is arranged
inside the transmission body.
9. The x-ray device of claim 8, wherein the converter is arranged
in a curved form such that at least one lateral edge of the
converter is in contact with the anode.
10. The x-ray device of claim 9, further comprising: a cooling
device configured to cool the transmission body.
11. The x-ray device of claim 8, further comprising: a cooling
device configured to cool the transmission body.
12. The x-ray device of claim 2, further comprising: a cooling
device configured to cool the anode.
13. The-ray device of claim 1, further comprising: a cooling device
configured to cool the converter.
14. The x-ray device of claim 13, wherein the cooling device is
further configured to cool the anode.
15. The x-ray device of claim 14, wherein the cooling device is
further configured to cool the transmission body.
16. The x-ray device of claim 1, wherein one or more of the anode,
the converter, or the transmission body is configured to be
rotatable around an axis of rotation.
17. A method of applying x-ray radiation comprising: emitting
electrons from a cathode; producing x-ray radiation with an anode
being impacted by the electrons emitted from the cathode;
converting x-ray radiation produced by the anode into monochromatic
x-ray radiation with a converter; and applying the monochromatic
x-ray radiation, wherein the anode is configured to produce x-ray
radiation in transmission and is arranged between the cathode and
the converter.
Description
[0001] The present patent document claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 62/777,043, filed Dec. 7, 2018,
which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The
present patent document also claims the benefit of European Patent
Application No. 19195781.0, filed Sep. 6, 2019, which is also
hereby incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present application is directed to an x-ray device and a
method of applying x-ray radiation.
BACKGROUND
[0003] X-ray radiation is being used in a multitude of
applications, ranging from medical imaging or therapy or security
checks at airports to crystallography. The most common devices for
generating x-ray radiation are x-ray tubes, which are vacuum tubes
in which electrons are emitted by a cathode and accelerated towards
an anode, where the electrons produce x-ray radiations through
bremsstrahlung or other physical processes. X-ray tubes are
generally simpler in construction and use than other ways of
producing x-ray radiation like for example synchrotron radiation
generated in particle accelerators.
[0004] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0333591 A1
describes such an x-ray device, which further includes a converter
to transform polychromatic x-ray radiation produced by
bremsstrahlung into characteristic monochromatic radiation, which
is desirable in particular in medical applications as results may
be obtain with lower radiation dosages. In said x-ray device and
other similar x-ray devices, as described for example in German
Patent DE 19 639 241 C2, the x-ray radiation has to be directed
from the anode to the converter, which leads complex beamlines for
the x-ray radiation traveling from the anode to the point of
application.
[0005] This leads to generally small angles of incidence of the
x-ray radiation and accompanying lowered intensity of radiation as
well as heating of other components of the x-ray device by x-ray
photons which are not directed towards the point of
application.
SUMMARY AND DESCRIPTION
[0006] Against this background, an objective of the present
disclosure is to simplify the beamlines of x-ray radiation in an
x-ray device.
[0007] According to the present disclosure, this task is solved by
an x-ray device and by a method of applying x-ray radiation.
[0008] The scope of the present disclosure is defined solely by the
appended claims and is not affected to any degree by the statements
within this summary. The present embodiments may obviate one or
more of the drawbacks or limitations in the related art.
[0009] Consequently, an x-ray device is provided, which includes a
housing configured to provide (or including) a vacuum therein, a
cathode arranged inside the housing and configured to emit
electrons, an anode arranged inside the housing and configured to
produce x-ray radiation when impacted by electrons emitted by the
cathode, and a converter configured to convert the x-ray radiation
produced by the anode into monochromatic x-ray radiation. The anode
is configured to produce x-ray radiation in transmission and is
arranged between the cathode and the converter.
[0010] Furthermore, a method of applying x-ray radiation is
provided. In this method electrons are emitted from a cathode.
X-ray radiation is produced with an anode being impacted by the
electrons emitted from the cathode, x-ray radiation produced by the
anode is converted into monochromatic x-ray radiation with a
converter, and the monochromatic x-ray radiation is applied. The
anode is configured to produce x-ray radiation in transmission and
is arranged between the cathode and the converter.
[0011] It is an idea of the present disclosure to combine an anode
configured to produce x-ray radiation in transmission with
converter for converting said x-ray radiation into monochromatic
x-ray radiation. This greatly simplifies the beam path the x-ray
radiation travels on from the anode to the region of application
via the converter, compared to previously known x-ray devices. This
simplified design further allows an improved provision of
supplementary functions to the x-ray device, in particular an
arrangement of ways for cooling the anode and/or the converter.
[0012] Advantageous configurations and further embodiments may be
derived from the dependent claims as well as from the description
with reference to the figures.
[0013] According to a further embodiment, the x-ray device includes
a transmission body, wherein the transmission body includes a
material transparent to x-ray radiation. Such a transmission body
may be arranged as a way of dissipating heat away from the anode
and/or the converter, advantageously prolonging the lifetime of the
respective parts.
[0014] According to a further embodiment, the transmission body is
arranged in contact with the anode. In that configuration, the
transmission body may advantageously dissipate heat from the anode
by heat conduction.
[0015] According to a further embodiment, the transmission body is
arranged structurally separated from the converter. In that
configuration, the converter may be easily exchangeable allowing
improved advantageous adaptability of the x-ray device.
[0016] According to a further embodiment, the transmission body is
arranged in contact with the converter. In that configuration, the
transmission body may advantageously dissipate heat from the
converter by heat conduction.
[0017] According to a further embodiment, the converter is arranged
between the anode and the transmission body in contact with the
anode and the transmission body. In that configuration, the
transmission body may be formed especially large, advantageously
improving its capacity to dissipate heat from both the anode and
the converter by heat conduction.
[0018] According to a further embodiment, the x-ray device includes
a cooling device configured to cool the converter. This allows even
better dissipation of heat away from the converter, advantageously
improving the lifetime of the converter.
[0019] According to a further embodiment, the converter is arranged
inside the transmission body. In that configuration, the converter
may be arranged especially close to the anode, advantageously
increasing the amount of x-ray radiation produced by the anode
converted into monochromatic x-ray radiation by the converter.
[0020] According to a further embodiment, the converter is arranged
in a curved form such that at least one lateral edge of the
converter is in contact with the anode. This advantageously
increases the amount of x-ray radiation produced by the anode
converted into monochromatic x-ray radiation by the converter even
further.
[0021] According to a further embodiment, the x-ray device includes
a cooling device configured to cool the transmission body. This
allows even better dissipation of heat away from the transmission
body, advantageously improving its capability of dissipating heat
away from the anode and/or the converter.
[0022] According to further embodiment, the x-ray device includes a
cooling device configured to cool the anode. This allows even
better dissipation of heat away from the anode, advantageously
improving the lifetime of the anode.
[0023] According to further embodiment, the anode, the converter
and/or the transmission body are configured to be rotatable around
an axis of rotation. Such a configuration enables a limitation of
which parts of the respective components are heated during use of
the x-ray device, which allows for an advantageously continuous
dissipation of heat even when producing high intensities of x-ray
radiation.
[0024] The above-mentioned configurations and further embodiments
may be combined with each other, if it is reasonable. Further
possible configurations, further embodiments and implementations of
the disclosure also include combinations of features of the
disclosure described before or in the following with regard to the
examples of implementation not explicitly mentioned. In particular,
the skilled person will also add individual aspects as improvements
or additions to the respective fundamental form of the present
disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] This disclosure is explained in more detail below using the
examples given in the schematic illustrations.
[0026] FIG. 1 depicts a schematic representation of an embodiment
of an x-ray device.
[0027] FIG. 2 depicts a schematic view of part of an embodiment of
an x-ray device.
[0028] FIG. 3 depicts a schematic view of part of an embodiment of
an x-ray device.
[0029] FIG. 4 depicts a schematic view of part of an embodiment of
an x-ray device.
[0030] FIG. 5 depicts a schematic view of part of an embodiment of
an x-ray device.
[0031] FIG. 6 depicts a schematic view of part of an embodiment of
an x-ray device.
[0032] FIG. 7 depicts a schematic view of part of an embodiment of
an x-ray device.
[0033] FIG. 8 depicts a schematic view of part of an embodiment of
an x-ray device.
[0034] FIG. 9 depicts a schematic view of part of an embodiment of
an x-ray device.
[0035] FIG. 10 depicts a schematic view of part of an embodiment of
an x-ray device.
[0036] FIG. 11 depicts a schematic flow chart of an embodiment of a
method of applying x-ray radiation.
[0037] The following figures are intended to convey a further
understanding of the forms in which the disclosure is carried out.
They illustrate embodiments and serve in connection with the
description to explain principles and concepts of the disclosure.
Other embodiments and many of the above-mentioned advantages may be
derived from the drawings. The elements of the drawings are not
necessarily shown to scale.
[0038] In the figures of the drawings, identical elements,
characteristics and components with the same function and effect
are provided with the same reference signs, unless otherwise
specified.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0039] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of
an x-ray device 1. The x-ray device includes a housing 2, a cathode
3, an anode 4, and a converter 5. The housing 2 is airtight and
configured to provide a vacuum therein. The cathode 3, the anode 4,
and the converter 5 are arranged inside the housing 2. The anode 4
is arranged between the cathode 3 and the converter 5.
[0040] In use, the cathode 3 emits electrons into the vacuum inside
the housing 2, for example, through the field emission effect,
thermionic emission, or other well-known physical processes. Under
effect of the electrical field between the cathode 3 and the anode
4, the electrons are accelerated towards the anode 4. Upon
impacting on the anode 4, the electrons interact with the anode 4
and thereby produce x-ray radiation through bremsstrahlung,
characteristic x-ray emission, or the like. The anode 4 is
configured to produce x-ray radiation in transmission, which means
that the produced x-ray radiation radiates onwards from the anode 4
in the direction of the converter 5. X-ray radiation impacting on
the converter 5 is converted into monochromatic x-ray radiation,
which in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 radiates in a direction
perpendicular to the direction of incident x-ray radiation produced
by the anode 4.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 1, the combination of an anode 4 configured
to produce x-ray radiation in transmission with a converter 5
allows for a very simple beam path of the x-ray radiation including
only a single change in direction of the x-ray radiation.
Furthermore, the converter 5 includes a simple shape in the form of
a prism, which allows for easier production of the converter 5
compare to for example the truncated pyramid shape known from some
already known x-ray devices.
[0042] FIG. 2 shows a schematic through a part of a further
embodiment of an x-ray device 1. FIG. 2 shows an anode 4 and a
converter 5, which are essentially the same as those shown in FIG.
1, as well as a transmission body 6. The transmission body 6
includes a material transparent to x-ray radiation and includes a
wedge-form. The transmission body 6 is arranged in contact with the
anode 4 and the converter 5.
[0043] The x-ray device 1 functions essentially the same as the
x-ray device 1 described in conjunction with FIG. 1. Furthermore,
the arrangement of the transmission body 6 in contact with both the
anode 4 and the converter 5 allows for improved dissipation of heat
from the anode 4, which is heated by the electrons impacting
thereon, and the converter 5, which is heated by the absorption of
x-ray photons at energy levels above the energy of the emitted
monochromatic x-ray radiation. As the transmission body 6 is
transparent to x-ray radiation it is itself not substantially
heated be the x-ray radiation passing there through.
[0044] FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a part of a further
embodiment of an x-ray device 1. FIG. 3 shows an anode 4, a
converter 5, and a transmission body 6, which are essentially the
same as shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 further shows a heat conductor 7
arranged in contact with the converter 5. The heat conductor 7 is
configured to be rotatable around an axis of rotation X, and the
anode 4, the converter 5, and the transmission body 6 are
configured to be rotatable along with the heat conductor 7. The
anode 4, the converter 5, the transmission body 6, and the heat
conductor 7 have a shape which is rotationally symmetrical around
the axis of rotation X.
[0045] In use, the anode 4, the converter 5, the transmission body
6, and the heat conductor 7 rotate around the axis of rotation X.
Therefore, only a part of the respective parts interacts with the
electrons emitted by the cathode 3, which is not shown. As only the
parts interacting with the electrons heat up, said heat may be
continuously dissipated, which greatly increases the lifetime of
the respective parts of the x-ray device.
[0046] FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a part of a further
embodiment of an x-ray device 1. FIG. 4 shows an anode 4, a
converter 5, and part of a transmission body 6. In the embodiment
shown in FIG. 4, the converter 5 is arranged between and in contact
with the anode 4 and the transmission body 6. The converter 5 is
configured to convert x-ray radiation into monochromatic x-ray
radiation in transmission, which means that the monochromatic x-ray
radiation leaves the converter 5 on the opposite side of the x-ray
radiation produced by the anode 4 entering the converter 5.
[0047] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the transmission body 6
is formed larger than in the previously shown embodiments, which
greatly enhances its capability for dissipating heat away from the
anode 4 and the converter 5.
[0048] FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of a part of a further
embodiment of an x-ray device 1. FIG. 5 shows an anode 4, a
converter 5, and a transmission body 6. In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 5, the transmission body 6 is arranged in contact with the
anode 4 and is configured to be rotatable around an axis of
rotation X. The anode 4 and the transmission body 6 are configured
to be rotationally symmetrical around the axis of rotation X,
providing the advantages described in conjuncture with FIG. 3.
[0049] The converter 5 is arranged separate from both the anode 4
and the transmission body 6. In this configuration, the converter 5
may be configured to be easily replaceable, which allows the x-ray
device 1 to be configured to different intended purposes. For
example, multiple converters may be arranged on a wheel and be
exchanged by rotating said wheel.
[0050] FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of a part of a further
embodiment of an x-ray device 1. FIG. 6 shows an anode 4, a
converter 5, and a transmission body 6. In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 6, the anode 4, the converter 5, and the transmission body 6
each include a flat, plate-like shape, and the transmission body 6
is arranged between and in contact with the anode 4 and the
converter 5. The embodiment shown in FIG. 6 exemplifies the
simplicity of configuration of the parts or the x-ray device
enabled by the combination of an anode 4 configured to produce
x-ray radiation in transmission and a converter 5.
[0051] The x-ray device 1 shown in FIG. 6 further includes a
collimator 8, configured to narrow the angle of monochromatic x-ray
radiation traveling from the converter 5 to the point of
application. The collimator 8 may be configured to be
exchangeable.
[0052] In the perspective shown in FIG. 6, the electrons impact the
anode 4 coming from the left and the monochromatic x-ray radiation
emitted by the converter 5 mainly radiates in an upward direction
through the collimator 8.
[0053] FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of a part of a further
embodiment of an x-ray device 1. FIG. 7 shows an anode 4, a
converter 5, a transmission body 6, and a collimator 8. The
embodiment shown in FIG. 7 differs from the embodiment shown in
FIG. 6 in that the converter 5 is configured to be a layer arranged
inside the transmission body 6. In this configuration, the
converter 5 may be arranged close to the anode 4, which increases
the amount of x-ray radiation reaching the converter 5 from the
anode 4 without being scattered.
[0054] Furthermore, the anode 4 shown in FIG. 7 includes a curved
shape, which increases the surface impacted by electrons and
consequently increases the amount of x-ray radiation produced by
the anode 4.
[0055] The converter 5 shown in FIG. 7 is configured as one single
layer. It is also possible to configure a converter 5 inside a
transmission body 6 as including a plurality of parts. For example,
a converter 5 in that sense may be configured to include a
plurality of micro-particles distributed in the transmission body
6.
[0056] FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of a part of a further
embodiment of an x-ray device 1. FIG. 8 shows an anode 4, a
converter 5, and a transmission body 6. FIG. 8 shows a different
perspective than the one shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. In the perspective
of FIG. 8, the monochromatic x-ray radiation emitted by the
converter 5 radiates towards the point of view. The layer including
the converter 5 has a curved shape, with its lateral edges being
arranged in contact with the anode 4. In this configuration, almost
all of the x-ray radiation produced by the anode 4 reaches the
converter 5 and is subsequently converted into monochromatic x-ray
radiation.
[0057] FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of a part of a further
embodiment of an x-ray device 1. FIG. 9 shows an anode 4, a
converter 5, a transmission body 6, and a collimator 8. In the
embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the anode 4 includes two x-ray-active
layers 9, which are arranged to be impacted by electrons coming
from opposite sides. The transmission body 6 is arranged in between
the two x-ray active layers 9, and the converter 5 is configured as
a layer having a paraboloid shape arranged inside the transmission
body 6. A heat conductor 7 is arranged in contact with the
transmission body 6 and is configured to be rotatable around an
axis of rotation X. The anode 4, the converter 5, and the
transmission body 6 are configured to be rotatable along with the
heat conductor and have a rotationally symmetrical shape forming a
rotating anode configuration.
[0058] FIG. 10 shows a schematic view of a part of a further
embodiment of an x-ray device 1. FIG. 10 shows an anode 4, a
converter 5, a transmission body 6, and a collimator 8. The
configuration shown in FIG. 10 corresponds to the configuration
shown in FIG. 6, except that in FIG. 10, the converter 5 is
arranged between and in contact with the anode 4 and the
transmission body 6.
[0059] The anodes shown in the preceding figures may include
material suitable for producing x-ray radiation upon being impacted
by high-energy electrons, for example electrons having an energy of
50 keV, such as tungsten, gold, or the like. In order to configure
an anode to produce x-ray radiation in transmission, the anode may
include a thin layer of such a material, including, for example, a
thickness between 5 .mu.m (micrometers) and 25 .mu.m (micrometers).
Other thicknesses are also possible.
[0060] The converters shown in the preceding figures may include
materials suitable for converting x-ray radiation, for example
x-ray radiation produced by bremsstrahlung, into monochromatic
x-ray radiation, like silver, gallium-oxide, or the like. The
converter may include thin layers of such materials, in particular
in the embodiments where the converter is embedded in the
transmission body. Such layers may be as thin as for example 5
.mu.m (micrometers) or 10 .mu.m (micrometers) and may be as thick
as for example 25 .mu.m (micrometers) or 100 .mu.m (micrometers).
Other thicknesses are also possible.
[0061] The transmission bodies shown in the preceding figures may
include materials which are transparent to x-ray radiation, in
particular to x-ray radiation above the absorption edge of the
converter, and also possess high heat capacitance and heat
conduction. Examples for such materials include copper, carbon,
silicon-carbide, and the like.
[0062] Even though not shown in the preceding figures, any
embodiment may further include a cooling device for the anode, the
converter and/or the transmission body. One cooling device may be
provided for all of these or for a plurality thereof, or one
cooling device may be provided for each of these. Such cooling
devices may include water cooling or air-convection cooling.
[0063] FIG. 11 shows a schematic flow chart of a method 100 of
applying x-ray radiation. In a method act 101, electrons are
emitted by a cathode. The electrons are accelerated away from the
electron and impact on an anode, thereby producing x-ray radiation
in a further method act 102. The x-ray radiation produced in method
act 102 is then converted into monochromatic x-ray radiation with a
converter in a further method act 103. The monochromatic x-ray
radiation is then applied in a further method act 104.
[0064] Although the disclosure was illustrated and described in
more detail by the exemplary embodiments, the disclosure is not
restricted by the disclosed examples and other variations may be
derived herefrom by the person skilled in the art without departing
from the scope of protection of the disclosure. It is therefore
intended that the foregoing description be regarded as illustrative
rather than limiting, and that it be understood that all
equivalents and/or combinations of embodiments are intended to be
included in this description.
[0065] It is to be understood that the elements and features
recited in the appended claims may be combined in different ways to
produce new claims that likewise fall within the scope of the
present disclosure. Thus, whereas the dependent claims appended
below depend from only a single independent or dependent claim, it
is to be understood that these dependent claims may, alternatively,
be made to depend in the alternative from any preceding or
following claim, whether independent or dependent, and that such
new combinations are to be understood as forming a part of the
present specification.
* * * * *